Senior photos in Sonoma and having fun with it

Senior photos are time to show off YOU! Gone are the days of the graduating class being obligated to use the same photography studio. Goodbye to the same four poses and the same lackluster experience. As a mom myself, I take a special joy in capturing seniors in photos being completely themselves – and having a great time doing it! While photography can be an intimidating or anxious experience (for anyone!), there are ways to make it positive for everyone involved. We are here to make sure you have fun with your senior photos in Sonoma.

It’s more than a photo shoot

Make an experience out of your senior photos. This is more than a photo shoot, this is a moment in time. You’ll look back on and cherish the friendships made, the highs and the lows, the triumphs. Start the morning off by picking up your favorite drink at a local coffee shop or juice bar. Bring along a parent or an adult close to you, they’ll be happy to share in on this experience. Talk with the people you love about your excitement and nervousness for senior year, this is a great time to be intentional and connect.

Play some music as you get ready, the confidence you have in that moment- that’s the confidence we want to capture during your photos. If you love fixing your own hair or want to have it done, do what feels right to you. Word to the wise – avoid drastic hair changes before the photos, while it might seem like a fun idea, it’s best to come as comfortable as you can.

As far as having your makeup done, I have a mix of seniors who prefer to do it themselves and those who would like someone else to help. If you choose to have makeup artist else for your senior photos in Sonoma, two local makeup artists that our seniors love are Colbie Elyce and Ducky Rickman! Also no one is noticing your nails in your photos. If you want to pamper yourself, you can get them done otherwise a home job is just as good!

Location selection for your senior photos in Sonoma

As far as choosing a location for your senior photos in Sonoma, it’s important to pick a place that means something to you. Where you feel your best is going to come through in the photos. Think about the places that hold special meaning to you – perhaps it’s a favorite park, a local coffee shop, or even your own backyard. By choosing a location that has personal significance, you’ll feel more at ease and comfortable during the shoot, which will translate into more natural and authentic photos.

If you are having trouble thinking of a location that stands out to you, I can help. Start by thinking of an activity you love – is it a sport? Gardening? Writing? Dancing? I once had a senior who wanted to take pictures on her farm with chickens. Let’s capture you doing what you love and we can plan the where together! As a Sonoma senior photographer, I have been everywhere in this city and around it. I promise we can find the right spot for you!

Outfits to feel your best

I recommend choosing four to five different outfits to bring, this allows us to create different moods for each picture. The spark in unique senior photos is having more options than just standing and smiling, let’s show you as you are! As humans we have a wide range of emotions, likes and dislikes. This will not be an experience where I tell you what to do, this is YOUR day, let’s do it how you envision.

We use the term feel your best instead of look your best because I truly believe that what you feel will always shine through. To some, feeling your best is your everyday attire of jeans and a casual shirt. To other’s that is dressing up to the nines. A few years ago, I had a group of girls come in ready for a masquerade ball. They had the best time in their gowns and sharing the experience together. You can see their joy and love for the experience and each other in those photos. 

Traditional senior photos in Sonoma

A traditional photo with a recent spin is the cap and gown. Now, a gap and gown doesn’t make anyone look good, they are just not flattering outfits. What looks good on every graduate is your favorite outfit on and then holding the graduation robe behind you so the pop of color shows. It’s understood that it’s for a graduation, but you don’t actually need to wear it. Also, get as creative as you want decorating your cap! It’s such a fun way to see either where you plan to go next year or a touch of personalization on who you are today. Graduation photos are also a fun group shot to have with friends. The friends you’ve made in this chapter will still be with you on the next path to come.

Another outfit tip is to bring a good jacket and we can create a lot of combination looks. Solid color cardigans and jean jackets both work well for this. As far as your primary outfits, ignore people who tell you to stick with only solid colors for these. While they are easier to photograph with, I also love when seniors come with a favorite multi colored striped jumpsuit. Or a two piece set. Or plaid button down paired with boots and a cowboy hat. If you have funky style, we are going to celebrate it here not ask you to tone it down. 

Poses

While some poses are curated by the photographer, where to stand, how to bend a knee, soften a look, other moments just happen naturally – like trying to move the hair out of your face on a windy day! It’s a dance we do together and magic happens. One of my favorite poses is The Power Pose. Standing firm in the ground, one hand up with your hand almost closed, thumb and forefinger resting on the tip of your head. To be honest, it’s not usually a mom favorite but it has such a sense of strength and beauty! Such an empowering pose!

Poses will also vary on location. For instance, beaches give a lot of room for creativity. Whether you are sitting in an alert but resting pose by driftwood or standing, looking off with your hands in your hair, we want to capture the essence of you with the location and not let the location overshadow you. This is also why simpler locations work well. If you want to have your photos in a busier location because it means a lot to you – ice cream shop, skate park, etc., we can find a quieter area nearby to take some more! We can create a lot of magic in stairways and vacant streets!

What to do after you’ve taken senior photos in Sonoma

After you receive your photos there are two things you need to do: send announcements and get your album. There has been a lot of conversation in recent years about sending announcements when photos are usually seen first on social media. You absolutely should be sending them still; while your inner circle is well aware of this big accomplishment, not everyone may be! Keep in mind: high school graduation announcements do not equal invitations to a graduation ceremony. Recipients are also not obligated to give a gift, but they may choose to do so. When they open your high school graduation announcements, they often want to help you celebrate and prepare for the next chapter! And the most common high school graduation gift is cash. #JustSaying. Check out our list of dos and don’ts: High School Graduation Announcement Etiquette.

A senior album is a must. You’ll want to look back on this time and reminisce with friends old and new as the years go by. Our senior albums are custom designed, hardcover legacy albums with thick pages and are so beautiful. This will likely be your first individual photo album, after years of the family centered photos. It is a big step and should be remembered. If you opt to have group photos with friends, it is also fun to look back on the album years later and feel the nostalgia. Lastly, there will be many more photo books to come. As a legacy photographer, I love creating these books for seniors and then creating more with their next milestones. There is a whole exciting life in front of you, deserving of living somewhere other than just social media. 

Thank You

I’ve been capturing unique senior photos since 2018 and have loved the changes that each new class brings. It’s exciting to be part of! Let’s talk more about senior photos in Sonoma by clicking here. I want to end this blog by letting you know that you are beautiful and wonderful just the way you are. It is my privilege to get to know you and capture photos of this time in your life. You are seen here, and I can’t wait for you to see what the world sees!

Picking your photographer is all about choosing the person who can let you be you. I truly love to tell real life stories, what are your passions, your interests, your dreams? Let me help you bring those out in your senior experience! Thank you for considering me to be the one to capture you, as you are, during your senior photos in Sonoma.